The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 52551 sells for about $243,876, or $118 per square foot.
Prices are up +6.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 82 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $850 a month.
ZIP 52551 — Douds
The housing market in 52551 is characterized by low inventory and slow, steady price appreciation consistent with rural Iowa trends. Market activity is limited by the small population base, with demand primarily driven by local residents and those seeking affordable rural living. Current conditions remain stable with no significant shifts in supply or demand dynamics.
This ZIP is best suited for those seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle, including retirees or remote workers who prioritize affordability and space over proximity to urban employment centers.
Median prices moved up 6.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 82 days on market with 6.0 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
15% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.5% · poverty 16.1% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.6%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 52551, Van Buren County IA
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in the Douds area are generally low, consistent with the rural character of Van Buren County and significantly lower than national urban averages.
The area is served by the Van Buren County Community School District, which provides rural public education options for the local population.
The region is subject to standard Midwestern weather risks, including seasonal severe thunderstorms and potential flooding near the Des Moines River; property insurance remains stable but sensitive to regional storm activity.
Economic momentum is modest and tied to local agriculture and small-scale commerce, with limited new large-scale infrastructure or corporate development projects reported.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Iowa) — Iowa Property Tax Assessment Limitation: The taxable value is determined by applying an assessment limitation (rollback) to the assessed market value. The limitation is calculated annually to restrict the growth in aggregate taxable value for the residential class to 3% statewide.
Commuting is primarily by private vehicle, with residents typically traveling to nearby towns like Keosauqua or Fairfield for employment and services.
Recreation is centered on outdoor activities, including access to the Des Moines River for fishing and boating, and proximity to local parks and rural trails.
The rental market is limited in depth, consisting primarily of single-family homes with low turnover and minimal short-term rental presence.
The local economy is primarily driven by agriculture and small-scale local services, with residents often commuting to larger hubs like Fairfield for broader employment opportunities.
Transportation is entirely dependent on private vehicle use, with no public transit infrastructure serving this rural area.
There are no major commercial or residential developments currently approved or under construction within the 52551 ZIP code.
The Van Buren County Assessor manages property valuations, utilizing a mass appraisal system consistent with Iowa Department of Revenue standards.
Parcels are subject to Van Buren County property taxes and the Van Buren County Community School District levies.
Property insurance availability is stable, though premiums are influenced by regional exposure to severe weather events common in Southeast Iowa.
Iowa is a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court action to complete the foreclosure process, which typically includes a statutory redemption period.
Iowa law requires sellers to provide a written disclosure statement regarding the condition of the property, including known material defects.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
Provides local opportunities for fishing, boating, and scenic recreation.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.